2026 Sun Half Marathon Race Recap - Santa Clara, UT

Sun half marathon start line

Official Time: 2:01:47
Placement: 2nd in the 55-59 age division, 108th out of 216 runners
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 40's windy at the start
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2025] [2024] [2020]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:09	Just getting warmed up.  Right on target though.
2	8:57	Feeling good and settling into a pace
3	8:47	Nice mile.
4	9:00	Crisp breeze at my back. Mostly downhill running.
5	8:57
6	10:08	Long hill here and the wind changed direction so it was no longer at my back
7	8:40	Nice downhill.  Heading back into the inhabited area.
8	9:32	Another hill but settling back into pace
9	9:08	Getting into a groove
10	9:06	Let's close this race out.
11	10:37	Long mile hill here.  It didn't that steep but it was never ending
12	9:21	Running into the outgoing 5K / 10K runners. Got cheers and motivation
13	9:02	This mile felt faster than I ran it. Solid though.
13.12	0:58	Cruise through the finish line.
Total Miles: 13.12 2:01:27

Introduction

I like to kick off the year with the Sun Half Marathon.  It has been in my race schedule in January for a few years now.  

When I lived in Salt Lake, it was a treat to drive to St George (4 hours each way) and run a race in hopefully warmer weather than the northern part of the state.  I'd usually make a weekend of it and go to Mesquite and eat and gamble.

Now that I live in Las Vegas, this race is less exotic.  It is still an overnighter -- having to get your bib on Friday night and not having to drive nearly 2 hours to the race's location on Saturday morning.  Also, with casinos and food choices where I live, there isn't a need to make the most of the weekend in regards to casino activities.

I definitely wanted to run this race though.  I've had solid race performances the last few years and it would be a nice opportunity to see some of my Salt Lake friends who come down to partake in the race.

Looking at where the full marathoners come from

Pre-Race / Goals

So I made the journey from Las Vegas to St George on Friday night - leaving the Las Vegas area around 3 PM.  It was an easy and relaxing drive and I made the journey in under 2 hours.  

Packet pickup was held at St George Running Center.  I think the initial rush of people was over with, having gotten there at 6 PM.  I had my bib, shirt and a few product samples in short order.  I also caught up with race organizer Joe.  I felt really good and my legs weren't sore.  I didn't plan on running and using the Friday as a rest day.

I made my way to the Red Lion and checked in, unpacked and made sure I hadn't forgotten anything.  I was armed with just about every thing I could possibly need for any weather condition that Saturday morning might dish out.

Starving, I walked over to the local Mexican joint and ate there.  I don't like a lot of fiber before a race and stuck to easily digestible things.

I usually have pre-race anxiety so I made sure all my gear was setup and ready to go.  I made the room cool and just worked on relaxing.  I actually slept pretty well (turns out I had had the room I was in before).

My goal for the race was 1:55 to 2:00 hours. Given the nature of the course (a generous, but not all out downhill race) I figured I'd have a decent shot at it, despite being quite a bit slower than previous times.  I had put in a solid training block and some of the paces I was hitting during training indicated I should be able to hit a sub 2 hour half marathon.

Getting ready to run!

The Race

The race's headquarters was at Archie Gubler park.  I got there around 6:30 to be on a bus by 7 AM.  Parking was a little limited there and I am glad I got there when I did. There is plenty of street parking, but in the darkness it is a little hard to tell where it is okay and where it isn't.  

The bus left promptly at 7 AM and made the 13 mile drive to the starting line in short order.  The bus drive was kind enough to let us sit on the bus until 8:15 (8:30 AM start time for the race). It was very breezy at the race start and I saw that the people who did get off the bus were bouncing around and trying to keep warm.

After exiting the bus, I felt that I'd quickly warm-up. I saw a number of the full marathoners running past us not wearing a lot, so I figured I'd be okay.  I wound up dressing in short-shorts, t-shirt, running sleeves, and thin gloves.  After about 3 miles I wound up tossing the sleeves in my pocket. I also had tossed a 30-gallon bag in my back pocket to work as a poncho, in case it wound up raining -- which it was threatening to do.

One of the race's selling point is starting just below Gunlock Reservoir.  The first 5 miles or so is probably the race's best features in that you are running down a canyon road (closed to traffic).  It is mostly a downhill portion of the race, although there are periods of some slight uphills.

With a goal of 2 hours I wound up hanging around with the 2-hour pacer.  For the first 2 miles or so it was largely going to plan. However, I did notice that she was running a little faster, perhaps 8:45's.  I let her go figuring I'd reel her in later in the race.

Typical stretch of mid-miles running

I had spotted another runner who I knew was in my age group and he quickly sped ahead of me.  I knew that this was going to be a battle for at best 2nd place.  Either way, I just wanted to hit my goal time; if I won an age group award, even better.  Throughout the race's progress, I was monitoring anyone who seemed to be in my age group.

The race did have several hundred runners. I never felt blocked in or congested and there was always someone to work off of.  

Around mile 5, just before the first really big hill, I opened a vanilla Gu and started to work on it.  It gave me a much needed boost.  I wasn't screaming down the canyon by any means, but I felt like I was running comfortably hard.  Part of me was wondering when I should increase my pace, but I was hoping to start that at about the halfway point.

The hill at mile 6 is definitely the hardest.  The 2-hour pacer was still within my reach and I was doing math to indicate I was still solidly on pace for 2 hours.  But the wind that was gently pushing me along, was now blowing at me.  Could I catch a break?

Fortunately, it was short-lived.  The wind throughout the race would either be coming at my side, or behind me or even at my face.  It kind of depended how the canyon walls moved it.

It was also at this point we were out of the canyon (more or less) and onto the bike trail.  Still, it was scenic with St George's iconic red rock walls in the distance.  The runners had thinned out, but I had plenty of people to pass and be passed by.  I was still holding a solid pace, however, I'd slow down on some of the hills if they were significant enough.  Normally, runners would pass me on the hills, as I dialed it back, only for me to pick it back up on the flatter sections.  I still felt solid, but I wasn't hitting that 10K pace I was hoping to.  But the race was definitely "on".

Around mile 9 I opened another gel. I knew there was a long hill coming up and I wanted a little caffeine boost to help me.  Sadly, I don't use gels that much anymore and I think the one I had brought may have been expired. It felt "chewy".  I ate some of it, but was really worried it was going to throw my digestive system under the bus.

I was still knocking down 2-hour paced miles, but I couldn't find that extra gear to make up some of the time I lost.  I was also banking energy for the 10th to 11th mile, which always ruins my race.

After running several miles on the bike trail, we finally hung a left and I was greeted by the never ending hill.  It isn't terribly steep -- it just seems to never end.  It is over a mile long and at the end of a half marathon, it isn't really what you want.  But you bear down on it, knowing you are in the final miles of getting it done.

Cruising along - mile 7-ish?

Try as I might, I couldn't get anything here.  My pace was agonizingly slow and I was working way too hard to just get that.  I couldn't wait to get to the top.

There were a handful of people cheering us on here (and throughout the race there were some families following their loved ones and cheering people on).  Every little bit helped.

After making it to the top, I was just gassed however.  In the past, I was able to really smash the final 2 miles, but today.  the best I could do was get back onto 2-hour half marathon pace.  It wasn't going to be a enough though unless I banked a miracle final mile.

I did get a lot of benefit getting "hey Eddie's" and nice works from the outgoing 5K and 10K runners.  They were headed in the opposite direction and it only spurred me on.

The final mile is slightly downhill and I was really hoping to crush it.  But once again, my mind was willing but my legs just didn't have the turnover.  I knew if I didn't have an incredible mile that it was game over for my goal.

As I made my way down the subdivision, the park's entrance came into view.  I wasn't going to make it, but it didn't stop me from running as hard as I could. There was no one behind me and no one to catch up to, even though I had been passed by a few runners.  

I crossed under the finish line in 2:01:27 on my watch.  I suspect my official time is my gun time however.

On the podium

Conclusion

When I normally finish a half marathon, I am pretty spent and not feeling great.  I actually felt really good -- I think I could've done another mile or two at the current 2-hour pace.  Despite saying this though, I was definitely tired and glad to be done running.

I sat down for a while and sipped on the Tailwind I had packed in my drop-off bag.  I checked the results and was happy to see I had placed 2nd.  At the time I checked, there were 4 runners in my age group but only 3, I think, actually finished.

Showing off the bling

So 2:01 was close enough to my goals but I didn't really hit my goal.  Still, I felt really good about this one.  I ran what I would describe as a well-paced race.  I slowed down in portions of the race I knew I was going to slow down at, banked the downhills, and pushed the pace on the flats.  I just didn't have enough extra strength, however, to make up for the time I lost on the downhills.  I suspect I may have been too cautious in the early miles.

The finish line weather was perfect.  Just enough sun to feel warm and a nice breeze.  It was also nice to see friends and make some new ones.  There was definitely a good crowd there and everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

Post race refreshments were fairly typical: Ice cream sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, candy and sports drink.  There were aid stations at about every 2 miles.  I only wound up taking water and once Powerade at them.  The Gus kept me properly fueled and I never dipped into dehydration levels thanks to the cooler temperatures.

The medals were definitely cool.  The shirt is simple but again, not a fan of the non 100% polyester ones. Still, it proudly displays that I ran the Sun Marathon.

Shirts + Medals

Again, I am sad I missed my goal time. For the last 2 years, the Sun Half Marathon, has been the most successful race of the year that I've run.  I am hoping that this isn't a year that I am going to struggle in.

On the plus side though. My pacing and endurance were spot on.  I never felt like I was dying in this race and I ran on my own race without getting worked up about being passed or running too slow.  There were moments of the race, particularly after the half way point where I had definitely felt like I was racing, rather than just moving along.

View of the final stretch

I do think this is some to build off of.  I am hoping to do this race again next year.  The course is really beautiful and it is just a nice environment to race hard and fast.

Upcoming Races

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/07: 2026 Skye Canyon Events Fit Fest - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/28: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Sun Half Marathon Race Recap - Santa Clara, UT

Heading to the start line

Official Time: 1:55:38
Placement: 2nd in the 55-59 age division, 49th out of 176 runners
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 20's, slight headwind into the latter half of the race.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years:  [2024] [2020]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:47	Decent start. Just easing into the race.
2	9:01	Brief pee break here.  Probably cost me 20 seconds
3	8:38	Back at it.  Slight downhill
4	8:43
5	8:48
6	9:16	First real hill.  Had to slow up a bit
7	8:28	Return of the hill.  Get a nice downhill
8	9:16	A bit of a climb here -- a short but steep hill.
9	8:39	Getting into a groove
10	8:23	Let's close this race out.
11	9:27	Long 1 mile hill here.  I was still pushing but my pace wasn't that great.
12	8:35	Course leveled out now.  Running into some 5K / 10K runners
13	8:11	Super fast final mile.  Gave it a full-send
13.18	1:23
Total Miles: 13.18 1:55:30

Introduction

Last year, I ran the Sun Half Marathon in a time of 1:53.  It was my race of the year for me and I was hoping it would lead to a record setting year.

Unfortunately, it was sort of the beginning of the end for the year and I never really rebounded.

Around December of 2024 I decided I was going to run one of the 2 January Half Marathons that I had done last year.  I'd train hard for a half marathon and bank the appropriate training for it and then jump into one of the two -- dependant upon weather and whether I was injury free.

In late December, I got a coupon for the Sun Half Marathon and ultimately decided I'd roll with the fates.  I'd get down there one way or another and do the race.

The race is held near St George Utah -- the last town on I-15 before you hit Arizona.  It is a red rock community and features some breathtaking scenery. It is also known for some world-class racing.  And, it offers a bit warmer temperatures than what northern Utah has to offer.

The Race

I arrived in St George and made it to the St George Running Center just shy of 4 PM on Friday to get my bib. I was one of the first to arrive. Packet pickup was a snap and in short order I was set up for the race.

warmup on Friday

I took a quick drive over to the finish line of the Virgin River Half marathon, which was held just a week ago, and wound up doing an easy 3-mile shuffle around the area, getting loosened up and taking a few photos.

Sleeping didn't come easily for me -- I think I had had too much for dinner and I tossed and turned until my 5:15 AM alarm went off.  I ate enough food and packed my gear and was at Gubler Park by 6:35 AM for the 7 AM bus.

The race was smaller than last year -- there was the Virgin River Half from a week ago and another half marathon just east of this one.  Parking wasn't an issue.

I had about an hour wait at the top of the canyon near Gunlock Reservoir.  Fortunately, our cheery bus driver let us stay on board the warm bus.  It wasn't the worst up there but a warm bus definitely held and there were plenty of cool people to chat with.

30 minutes before the race, we had to exit the bus and it gave me an opportunity to cycle through the restroom and figure out what I was wearing.  With absolutely no wind and crisp temperatures I opted with shorts, a short-sleeved t-shirt, arm warmers and the Saucony Endorphin Pro-2 race shoes.  There wasn't a lot of sun but this wound up being a winning combination once again for me.

The race started promptly at 8:30.

The race format is point to point, from the about 3500 feet of elevation to just over 2500.  The drop wasn't terribly steep so your quads never get totally battered.  Also, the course does feature about 350 feet of incline, so it isn't a 100% screamer.  In my opinion it favors the patient.

I eased into the race -- hanging out in front of the 2-hour pacer.  My goal was to finish around 1:55 -- preferably under that.  I had run 1:53 last year and I didn't think I was in that good of shape this year, but that was the goal.

The first mile went off like clockwork, coming in at 8:45.  Despite having gone to the bathroom 15 minutes prior to the race, I suddenly kind of had to go.  I was looking for a place to jump behind a tree or bush but as we sped down the canyon, I didn't see anything that was too feasbile.  If the next aid station had an open bathroom I'd jump into it.

Sure enough, just around mile 2, the first aid station came into view and I jumped in. It wound up costing me about 30 seconds, but it helped my mentally -- I could focus on running.  Despite the time delay, I wound up running a little over 9 minutes.  Still a sub 2-hour pace.

I was breaking down the race mentally.  The first 3 miles are so pretty. There were hidden cows hiding in the brush and you can see the day getting started by what little sunlight was coming through the cloud cover.  I was working with a few other runners and trying to keep ahead of the 2-hour pacer, who clearly wasn't running a 2-hour pace.

Around the 5K marker, we hung a left and started down the next leg of the canyon.  This part was also open to traffic, most of whom were very respectful that we were running race.

I was still feeling strong and running a decent pace.  The downhills were helping and I wasn't bombing it.  I knew there were some uphills coming, so I was banking some energy for that.

Final downhill

At this point I found myself working with another runner.  We both had about the same pace in mind and he'd overtake me on any uphill and I'd wind up slowing down.  It then became my goal to catch up to him, which I would.  Clearly uphill running isn't one of my strengths.  I did chat with him after the race and he was working with me too.

I also inhaled a cola flavored Gu.  I usually don't take gels so early in the race but I felt my stomach a little on the light side and the caffiene and sugar perked me up a little.

I hadn't seen anyone in my age group and to be honest, I wasn't too worried about it.  Whatever would happen, would happen.  I was there for myself but I was also shooting for an extra medal.  

Somewhere on mile 6 we came to the first of 3 hills in the race that are worth mentioning.  It is a doozy and I shambled up it.  I knew it was going to slow me up and I didn't want to burn up it -- especially so early in the race.  I was passed by a ton of people who definitely were better than I am at hills.  My competitor sped ahead and part of me sort of gave up.  I knew the hill would end but would I have the mental fortitude to pick it back up.

The short answer was yes.  Once I eclipsed the hill, I was greeted with a sweet downhill.  My pace quickened and I managed to get back on target.

We were pretty much done with the canyon and now were on a bike trail that led back into Santa Clara.  I'll be honest, the visuals weren't very stimulating here, although the beautiful red rocks of Snow Canyon were to my left but whizzing cars were to my right.  

Another long hill reared its head and my pace dropped off. My competitor zoomed by me and two young women I was working with sped by me too.  My goal was to ease up the hill and get back into a rhythym once I got to the top.

Once the hill ended I knew I had less than a 10K to go.  I was still feeling remarkably strong and I had had the same experience last year.  Despite a sudden bit of headwind, I got back into half marathon pace and began to pick off a straggler or two.  The two women I was working with were coming into view and my competitor I caught up with and then stepped on the gas.  I never saw him again until after the race.

I knew there was one more hill and it was the worst of the bunch.  It is a long one -- a slow grind for about a mile.  The further along you got along on it, the worse it got.

Finally we made the turn off the bike trail and I was greeted with the hill.  I had worked my way up to the two women and I slowed down to grab a watermelon Gu.  We gave each other cheers (I think they liked my cool ChicknLegs Ducky shorts). I gave a full send up the hill -- I knew the race was hanging on how well I did this hill.  I also knew the final 2 miles were fast.

I honestly felt like I was running around 8:30 or 8:45 pace, but I was clearly in the 9's.  It was just a tough effort but I didn't give up.  I had visions of catching a bright orange vested guy a quarter mile ahead of me, but I never quite could reel him in.

Finally I summitted the hill.  The first of the 10K runners were coming at me at this point and I got some shouts of encouragement. An occasional full marathoner would blow by me though (they had a 90 minute head start).

I was in my element. I was working hard and giving everything I had. My breathing was in gasps but I was running a solid 8:30 mile.  It was also encouraging to get the 10K runners cheers.

The final aid station and final turn came into view.  I remembered last year bombing this mile.  With one mile left to go and it being mostly downhill, I turned on the jets.  No one was behind me and the orange tank guy was long gone.  But I was still running hard.  

The 5K runners were also coming up the hill and I saw friends and got even more shouts.  

I have no idea what my pace was and for most of the race, I didn't really look at my watch, other to determine when the next mile was coming up and the pace of my last mile.  I just wanted to be dialed in to running and not fretting about everything.

I wound up running an 8:15 final mile. Once again, outdoing myself. Normally, I have absolutely nothing left that final mile, but today -- I had a lot.

The mile markers were mostly defined by the marathoners and being it was a Boston course, I knew they were probably accurate.  I was coming in about .10 of a mile off on my watch.  I know last year the course had come in at 13.13.

I wound up running 13.18 -- which may have come up long because I let my watch run while I was taking a potty break.  I did see a few others on Strava coming in around that distance as well.  

But on the plus side, I hit a 1:55:30 on my Garmin.  Mission accomplished!

All smiles

Conclusion

So first off, I was really happy with my time.  I had put in a LOT of work in preparing to run a decent half marathon.  While I didn't max out on the miles, I did make a few tweaks to my training regime:

1) I did more efforts at just below half marathon effort and just above 10K effort for longer periods of time.

2) I did more sessions of 5K efforts at half marathon effort

3) I did several tempo efforts.

4) I did boost up my mile mileage but didn't kill myself with long runs

5) I obstained from racing to focus and get quality sessions in.

This was the first half marathon trainig cycle that I really dedicated to half marathon racing and it paid off.

I did manage to get 2nd in my age group, so I came home with 2 cool medals.  The t-shirt was a nice design and I've worn it a few times already for easy runs.  I prefer the polyester material over the blend, though.

The race was chilly at the end and I managed to have a lot of warm clothes.  It was social hour and I think a lot of people had good races, so it was fun to chat with everyone.  Post race refreshments included oranges, granola bar, Fat Boy ice cream sandwiches string cheese, and sports drink.  

The course organization was flawless.  There were plenty of well stocked aid stations, and the course marshalls were great.  In addition to marshalls at major intersections, there was chalk and cones, so it was hard to get lost.

The race was on the pricey side but the coupon definitely helped.  All things considered, though, it was money well spent:  A beautiful course, well staffed, profressionally timed, cushie bus transport.  You'd be hardpressed to find a better deal.

I also have to thank "my competitor" for keeping me pushing throughout the race and the two wonderful women (who incidentally took my finish line photo) for giving me shouts of encouragement.

What can I say? I had a fabulous time.  From start to finish, it was an easy race to partake in.  The scenery was wonderful and peaceful and I ran well.  Running in January in St George is always the best and this was a great way to start the 2025 season.

Cool photo from my warm-up

Upcoming Races

02/15: 2025 South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K  -- Bountiful, UT(Confirmed)
02/23: 2025 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
03/01: 2025 March Madness 10K - Woods Cross, UT (Confirmed)
03/15  2025 Lucky 13 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
04/26: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/10: 2025 Run Farmington 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

2024 Sun Half Marathon Race Recap - Santa Clara, UT

Waiting for the race to start

Official Time: 1:53:31
Placement: 3rd in the 50-54 age division, 52nd overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here (race date 1/27/2024)
Weather: Mid 30's no wind at the start, finish in the mid to upper 40's
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2020]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:43	Gentle downhill start
2	8:49
3	8:43	Being consistent and daring to go a little faster
4	8:40
5	8:34
6	9:10	First real hill.  Still holding a decent pace.
7	8:24	Fast downhill here -- 150 feet of decline
8	8:52	A bit of a climb here -- a short but steep hill.
9	8:32	Time to step it up.
10	8:17	Starting to run fast.
11	9:24	Long, grinding hill
12	8:21	Mostly flat -- time to finish strong
13	7:56	Awesome final mile. 90 feet of decline and the smell of the finish waiting for me
13.13	0:57
Total Miles: 13.13 1:53:27

Abandoned structure along the course.

Introduction

So 2 weeks prior to this race I ran the 2024 Virgin River Half Marathon and astounded myself with an amazing time of 1:54:15.  I felt like I could've run the course faster despite having a fairly lackluster lead up to the race.  

Running the Virgin River Half Marathon

After the buzz of the race began to where off, I began to question myself -- was it a fluke or was my fitness really where I hoped it would be?

I had a bit of race fever and buoyed with the thought of being to run faster than I thought I began to look for another race.  Given that the Salt Lake area is pretty devoid of races, particularly half marathons in the winter, I wasn't given much of a choice locally.  I did spy the Sun Half Marathon in St George.  It seemed to fit the bill -- a fast course, warmer weather, a beautiful area, and I had run it before in 2020.

I did some research and some soul searching.  Did I really want to race again?  Make the four hour drive?  I found a decently priced hotel, made sure it was within the budget and ponied up for the last minute race entry (about $85).  I was set for another, hopefully, epic weekend!

Waiting for the race to start.

The Race

The race hasn't changed much since I did it pre-Covid.  My how the world has changed in the last 4 years.  I remember the course being mostly downhill, but not crazy downhill.  My Garmin indicates that I ran about 900 feet of downhill, but to keep things honest, there was about 425 of uphill.  

Anticipation before the start

I had picked up my bib the night before at the St George Running Center and I arrived at Archie Gubler Park at 6:30 AM to jump on a 7:00 AM bus.  There was plenty of parking and I could chill in my car for a bit before loading on to the bus for the 20 minute (or so) ride to the start.

I had brought a fair amount of clothing.  I knew that the starting area wasn't going to have much for amenities and there is nothing worse than waiting for a race to start and freezing.  I was quite comfortable though and I wound up making small talk with people and seeing familiar faces.

Run4Fun Group from FB

In 2020 the course came up a bit long on my Garmin (13.30).  This year, we started close to a quarter mile closer to the finish than the previous year.  I knew that we were going to have an accurate 13.10 miles (the mile markers also were spot on).

Taking care of pre-race nerves

A few minutes before the race, I took off all of my warmer gear and was ready to race in the slightly cool air:  shorts, a single t-shirt, and thin gloves.  I was perfectly attired for the race -- although I'd probably recommend sunglasses.

The race started promptly at 8:30 and we were off running down a lightly traveled canyon just a mile or so south of Gunlock Reservoir.

I stuck with the 2-hour pacer for the first mile or two.  That had been my strategy 2 weeks ago at the Virgin River race.  But I knew I could run faster and while the 2-hour pacer was going a little faster than 2 hours (on account of the decline) I wound up pulling ahead.  Part of me was wondering if I was making a mistake -- was I pushing too quickly?

I don't normally pay attention to my heart rate on a race (it's always too high) but my breathing felt good and I didn't feel like I was straining in the slightest.  My pace was good and not crazy.

The first few miles flew by and memories of the course came back from 2020.  It was so peaceful and the sunlight was playing off of the red rock canyon.  Around the 5K point, the runners joined up on Route 91 -- an older freeway.  We had a good portion of the shoulder and traffic was still light.  I was enjoying the easy pace and the mostly downhill part of the race.  My pace was improving and I still felt in control.

Mile 6 or so was the first "test".  Here was a decent hill and it took a bit to get up and over.  It was nearly a half mile long.  I remained patient and conserved energy here.  I was still within my goal of a 2-hour half marathon thanks to having banked time.

The closer we got to civilization, the more traffic there was on the road.  It sort of lost its coziness and peacefulness.  Fortunately, unlike in 2020, there was a new bike trail put well off to the side of the road.  This made it a lot safer and I could focus on running versus wondering if a speeding car was going to take me out.  

The course support was really good -- and hydration stations were about every 2 - 3 miles.  For the temperatures of the day, it was perfect.  There were pockets of spectators -- mostly cheering on family members, but for the most part it was solo running.  Occasionally I'd get passed by a full marathoner, who had had a 90 minute head start but I was slowly picking off other half marathoners.  And my pace was quickening.

I wanted to start my pickup a bit sooner on this race and around mile 7 I was moving well.  I was aided by some downhills.  I had also consumed a Roctane GU and I think the jolt of sugar and caffeine perked me up.  There was a hill that made me slow down but overall, I was very pleased with my pace.

Mile 10 - So hard

I had visions of smashing the final 4 miles and it was also at this time I passed what I thought was a person in my age group.  I had hopes that I'd place in my age group, but having studied the results from the past few years I knew I had what I figured to be a 50-50 chance.  It all depended who showed up and if I got lucky.

I definitely remembered mile 10 through 11 from 2020.  It is where you leave the highway and you have about 5KM left to run.  That mile is where things are starting to hurt. I still felt really strong and plowed up the hill. I saw the 10KM turn around and did the math in my head and knew that this course should come in right at 13.1.

Visions of running 8:30 or so were playing in my head as I ran up this mile-long, gradual hill.  I dared to look at my watch and I was well over 9 minutes.  If there was a heartbreak hill to this race, this was it.  My heart rate was definitely spiking as I willed myself to run fast.

It was only discouraging me, though and I told myself to be patient.  I remembered that once I got to the top, it'd be flat and then a final fast mile.  Sure enough, upon the summit, I was back on the flat section and I could feel my confidence and pace quicken.  A solid 8:21 rang up on my watch.

I was running with the outbound 10KM runners.  It was nice to see them coming along and I was still reeling in a few other runners.  I knew I was on for a good time.

Home stretch -- finish line to my left

The final mile is through a well-to-do section and it is primarily downhill and fast.  I couldn't ask for a better mile.  I gave it all I had as I slalomed down the twisty drive. I hit my fastest mile of the race -- a but 8 minute.

I was cheered by a throng a well wishers as I closed in to the finish line.  A sharp turn and a short distance later, I had finished.

Final stretch

Crossing the finish line!

Conclusion

To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement.  I smashed this race -- running faster than the previous half marathon.  This course came in accurately and my final mile was the fastest of the race (okay it was downhill but still).

I still felt good too -- there wasn't any death march on this race and I could've put in another mile or two.

The moment of truth came though -- had I placed?  I wound up looking up the live results and I found myself 3rd in my age group.  Would it hold though?  Was there someone who started behind me who would beat me?  No.  I was really happy -- always nice to go home with an additional medal and a bit of bragging rights.

All Smiles after a successful race.

I managed to get some snacks in me: fruit, granola bars, sports drink and ice cream sandwiches.  There was a really good crowd at the end -- with a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon, the race was well attended and there was a lot of excitement.

It didn't take long to hand out the awards and it was nice to socialize with runners.  The morning was absolutely beautiful.  Sunny, not a cloud in the sky and a comfortable 50-something degree weather.  I probably should've hung out a bit longer but once I got my award, I decided to head back to the hotel to get cleaned up.

Overall, I had an awesome time at this race.  Not only was my running a success -- my fitness for a half marathon *is* there, but the morning and course was absolutely beautiful.  I just felt so fortunate that I was able to experience the beauty of Southern Utah.  Also, I didn't kill myself running the race: my pace was controlled and at no point did I feel like the wheels were coming off.  What a difference it makes when you run a half marathon like that versus some of the final miles of my half marathons in 2023.

There's been a lot of improvements to race since 2020 -- namely the safer route that avoids some of the fast traffic along the 2-lane highway.  The race was also well supported with ample aid stations and bathrooms.

I kept asking myself why did I wait so long to run this race again?  Hopefully I'll remember this experience next year and make the journey back down to St George to run this race.

Upcoming Races

02/10: 2024 South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

02/25: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/02: 2024 March Madness 10K - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

03/30: 2024 Eggs Legs 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/20: 2024 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/27: 2024 Apple Blossom 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

05/27: 2024 Run of Remembrance 10K - American Fork,  UT 

06/01: 2024 Utah Valley Half Marathon - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

07/24: 2024 Deseret News Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed

08/17: 2024 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)

09/07: 2024 Cedar City Half Marathon - Cedar City, UT (Confirmed)

09/28: 2024 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/05: BLOCKED OUT WEEKEND

10/19: 2024 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/26: 2024 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)